Front Handspring Vault

FOCUS: Front Handspring Vault

SUBFOCUS: Body Awareness, Spacial Awareness, Momentum, Force, Strength, Flexibility

OBJECTIVE: Students will perform a front handspring vault

EQUIPMENT: Springboard, Horse, Landing Mat

ORGANIZATION/MANAGEMENT: Make sure gymnast is warm and stretched, keep running area clear, use signal for gymnast to begin approach and skill, and check to see that students perform leadup skills and are ready to perform the front handspring vault.

INTRODUCTION: At this station, you will perform the front handspring vault. We will begin with some other lead up skils to make sure that you are ready.

Leadups
Jump to Handstand, Flat Back on Safety Cushion
Jump to Handstand, Block, Flat Back on Safety Cushion
Jump to Handstand On Vault
Hurdle Approach to Handstand on Vault

DESCRIPTION OF FRONT HANDSPRING VAULT

• Run down vault runway with fast, even steps using bent arms in opposition
• Hurdle onto springboard with biggest arm circle possible.
• Hunch springboard as hard as possible, pushing through feet and legs to rebound with a straight body
• Reach up to place hands on horse, keeping arms above head and drive feet and legs up and over horse.
• When feet are directly above hands in handstand position, shoulders extend to block body up and out in post flight.
• Gymnast remains tight in layout position with arms overhead until feet touch the floor.
• Gymnast bends knees until heels touch and then stretchs up to salute.

Assist
Stand on back side of horse but reach forward over horse to assist gymnast from rebound by Spot upper arm and upper back

Verbal Cues
punch, handstand PUSH, extend, land, balance

Reminders

• Begin arm circle on last step before hurdle..
• Get arms all the way back up to head height
• Punch the board in hollow.
• Drive feet and legs over the top drawing a big curve over the horse.
• Block through shoulders.
• Keep arms stretched up after block.
• Watch hands on post flight.

Common Errors

• Running too slow.
• Hitting board in wrong place.
• Not extending in rebound.
• Bending knees.
• No block.
• No post flight.
• Taking steps on landing.

CLOSURE: What are some of the major points to remember to perform the handspring vault properly?

EVALUATION:
Handspring

• Sufficient takeoff on board
• Body extended in preflight on horse
• Hands push off and arms are straight on contact with vault
• Body remains straight with follow through to landing
• Landing with control
• Slight hip and knee flexion